Stalls are Auctioned at the "New Country Market"

By Connor DeMerchant - 31 August 2026

By May 1876 the new City Market building, then known as the “New Country Market,” was ready for vendors to take up residence. There was considerable excitement on May 18^th when the stalls in new building were auctioned. For the butchers and other merchants who gathered to bid, this auction presented an opportunity to secure one of the much-coveted spaces in the city’s newest commercial building.

The sale of stalls took place at noon, with Mr. George H. Clark serving as auctioneer. According to the newspaper report, a “very large crowd of butchers” was in attendance, and it quickly became clear that there would be fierce competition for the best locations.

The stalls numbered 1 and 2, located off Germain Street, attracted only nominal prices. No. 3, however, proved to be a very different story. The bidding opened at $40 and quickly climbed to $300. At that point, one prospective buyer apparently thought the stall could be secured for that amount, but Mr. Clark was a skilled auctioneer. Before the crowd had fully realized what was happening, bidding had increased by another $100. The competition continued until Mr. Ryan emerged victorious with a bid of $500, becoming the owner of what The Daily Telegraph described as the “much coveted” stall.

Nor was this the only spirited contest of the day. Several other stalls attracted intense competition, with “splendid prices” being realized. When the wholesale racks at the centre of the market were offered for sale, there was particularly strong interest in securing first choice. The first-choice rack, located approximately in the centre of the building, ultimately sold for $600, while the second choice also brought a “good figure,” as did the third and eighth.

Altogether, the sale of the country market stalls generated $6,400, a substantial sum and a clear indication of the enthusiasm surrounding the new building.[1]

For the merchants who purchased these spaces, a market location could provide a valuable foothold in Saint John’s commercial life, and the competition for the most desirable spaces demonstrated how important location was to those whose livelihoods depended on attracting customers. The lively bidding that day suggests that Saint John’s butchers understood the value of being part of the new market and were willing to pay handsomely for the privilege.

[1] “Great Excitement at the Sale of Country Market Stalls. The Daily Telegraph. 19 May 1876, Pg. 1. 

Photo: View of wholesale racks in the centre of the Market, c. 1900-1915. (PANB - P210\2724)